The Hon Christopher Pyne MP - Media Items

October 2006

27 October 2006

Australia’s Gene Technology Regulator reappointed

The Australian Government has reappointed Dr Sue Meek as the national Gene Technology Regulator.

25 October 2006

Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council

The ninth meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council was held in Sydney on 25 Ocotber, chaired by Christopher Pyne, Parliamentary Secretary to the Australian Government Minister for Health and Ageing. The Ministerial Council comprises Ministers responsible for food issues in Australia and New Zealand.

24 October 2006

Government supports initiatives to reduce trans fats in food

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, announced on 24 October the establishment of a National Collaboration on Trans Fats that will propose initiatives aimed at reducing the amount of trans fatty acids in food sold in Australia.

24 October 2006

Banning Ronald not the answer

Speaking at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia Conference in Sydney, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, called on the state governments to re-examine school curriculum, improve public safety and consider urban planning with a view to engaging people in more physical activity.

13 October 2006

Rural suicide-prevention projects increasingly important

Government mental health and suicide-prevention programs will provide timely support for people in rural Australia, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said.

12 October 2006

Funds to expand the capacity of Lifeline Australia

The Australian Government’s $1.9 billion mental health package will enable Lifeline Australia to help more people in crisis, following the commitment of $18 million over five years to expand Lifeline’s national telephone counselling service.

12 October 2006

Suicide prevention – national and local solutions to suicide

Support for people at risk of suicide received a major boost today with the announcement of $32.7 million, part of a $1.9 billion mental health package commitment by the Australian Government.

12 October 2006

Funding boosts programs for overseas-trained psychiatrists

The Australian Government has provided more than $1.3 million to assist the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) develop a variety of support programs to help overseas-trained psychiatrists practising in Australia.

11 October 2006

‘Smart’ services report will help to shape mental health

A new report on community-based support services for people with a mental illness would “contribute to the development of mental health services into the future,” the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said in Canberra on 11 October.

09 October 2006

Better access to mental health services

New Medicare items, available from 1 November this year, are a major step towards building a better mental health system. The items, part of the Government’s Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative, will cost $538 million over five years.

01 October 2006

Tobacco advertising banned at Australian sports

Tobacco advertising will be banned at all sporting events in Australia from today, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said today.